INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11508, 14 February 1903, Page 9

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

The District Council of the Independent Order of RechabiteH resumed ite sittings at the Oddfeilowsr Hall yesterdayA proposal was reoewed from tie 2s ew Plymouth Tent that the district officers be empowered to cbnmunicate with the Auckland district recommending amalgamation, and tihe formation of a High Movable Conference for the colony; in <jhe event of negotiations being successful the district officers, in conjunction with the Auckland district officers, should appoint delegates to meet and prepare a scheme on the following basis: — (a) The division of tihe colony into districts, such districts to have full administrative "power* in respect to finance, opening of tents, election of district officers, and all matters relating to local administration; (b) the formation of a High Movable Conference, consisting of delegates elected by the several djstricte of the colony, which body only should have the power to make or alter the general laws; (c) the construction of a uniform scale of contributions and payments throughout the colony. After considerable discussion, a motion in favour of amalgamation witfh the Auckland district was carried unanimously. The suggested alteraCons to the general rules were further considered until the hmcheon adjournments. The delegates visited Kaiapoi during tue afternoon, and inspected the Woollen MillsIn the evening a well attended concert was held in the Trinity Hall. Mr Kennedy's Band played two selections, and songß were given "by Miss Clark, Miss Field, Mr H. M. Johnson, and Mr Frank Turner. A clarionet eolo was played by Bro. A. J. Clarkson. Mise Oowan contributed a recitation, and Mr C. E. Salter a reading. The' Council will sit again to-day, and there will be a banquet in the evening. The conference resumed yesterday morning, when further consideration was given to the suggested alterations of the general A proposal from the Ohristchurch tent making the 'office of eecretary and treasurer permanent, was negatived on the voices. A proposal from the Chrietchurca tew making ft legal to pay tenfc treasurers for their servicea was carried. The motion, proposed by the district officers, was carried unanimously— "Any tent in the district may place on the surgeon's list any financial member of a friendly society of which there is no branch within a jadiue of three miles, on payment of the eurgeon's fee in advance, with 6d added, subject to the tent doctor's permission." It wae resolved that the district officers, after the receipt -of the quinquennial valuation, should prepare a report, and l submit a echelne for tie. payment of old members, tihe same to Oβ presented at the next district council meeting, also that the district officers should be instructed to negotiate with the tents in New Zealand, at present under the jurisdiction of the Albert District, with the view of inducing them to jodn the New Zealand) Central District. A proposal from Gisborne, that, a magazine should (be established, was lost. The district representatives were directed to uee their beet endeavours to establish new tenia in various parts of t-he district. ' Bro. Corkiil, of New Plymouth, wae selected to represent the New Zealand Central District at the High" Movable Conference to be held! in England at the cloee of the year. The election of officers resulted as follow . —District Ohief Ruler, Bro. J. Whitaker (New Plymouth); District Deputy Ruler, Bro- S. Sherwood (Nelson); District Secretary, Bro. tihe Hon. F. H. Fraser (Wellington); District Treasurer, Bro. A. J. Bennett (Wellington); Dietnct Superintendent Juvenile Tents, Bro. T. Fathers (Nelson); District Auditor, Bro. R. Williams (Wellington). , It wae resolved to hold the next district general meeting at Dunedin in two years' time. Atfte* tihe pnstaXatic-n of the mew officers, the Council presented tie retiring Chief Ruler, Bro. Stead, with a past deputy high chief ruler's collar, aa a mark of its appreciation al his services. Votes .of thanks were passed io the Press for their reports, also to the minutes secretary and ti* reporter. The proceedings terminated with a (hearty vote of thanks to the Ohristchurcb brethren for the very handsome manner in which they had entertained the visitors. A banquet, presided' over by Bro. J. T. Smith, was held during the evening, at wihich tire following toasts were honoured: —"Royal Family," "The Governor," "Members of Parliament," "Independent Order of Rechafbites and the New Zealand Central District," "District Officers 1.0. R.," "Juveniles," "Ohristchurch Tent," "Kindred Societies," "The Ladies," and "The Press." This afternoon a garden party will be <heOd at Mr J. A. Flasher's Richmond.